SIGN THE PETITION to support Hobby Lobby’s battle to stop the HHS MandateLord God, I thank you today for the gift of our nation. You alone rule the world with justice, Yet you place in our hands the solemn duty of participating in the shaping of our government. I pray today for our President and Senators Who have the responsibility of placing judges on our courts. Please protect this process from all obstruction. Please send us men and women of wisdom, Who respect Your law of Life. Please send us judges with humility, Who seek Your truth and not their own opinions. Lord, give all of us the courage we need to do what is right And to serve you, the Judge of all, with fidelity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen! Prayer from About.Com, Catholicism, by Scott P Richert

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March 27th:

[Justice Elena] "Kagan suggested that the corporate owners have a choice other than breaking the law and betraying their religious principles. It’s an option, she said, “that nobody talks about . . . Hobby Lobby could choose not to provide insurance.” Under the health care law, the companies would have to pay a tax instead, but it would be comparable to the costs of insurance, she said.Paul D. Clement, the lawyer for the companies, countered that such a tax would better be described as a penalty, and that the corporations would suffer for it, having to raise wages to compensate for their lack of a health care plan. “It certainly feels punitive,” he said."

The Obama administration's acknowledgment that its stance would require businesses to underwrite abortions without the right to a legal challenge may have been a particularly telling moment in a March 25 U.S. Supreme Court case that likely will be a landmark in religious liberty.

It seemed that way to some who oppose the government's position, and they expressed an opinion that it seemed that way to some of the justices.

The Supreme Court heard 90 minutes of oral arguments regarding the federal government's abortion/contraception mandate, which requires employers to provide abortion-causing drugs and devices for their workers. Two family owned businesses -- nationwide retail chain Hobby Lobby and Pennsylvania-based Conestoga Wood Specialties -- had their opportunity to present their contention that the federal rule violates free exercise of religion rights and a 1993 law protecting religious liberty.

Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy asked Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, the Obama administration's advocate, if he thought a for-profit corporation "could be forced in principle to pay for abortions."

At first, Verrilli seemed to deny it would, saying, "[T]he law now is to the contrary."

Kennedy countered: "But your reasoning would permit that."

Verrilli eventually said, "Well, I think that if it were for a for-profit corporation and if such a law like that were enacted, then you're right, under our theory ... the for-profit corporation wouldn't have an ability to sue."

On Tuesday (March 25), the justices heard lawyers for the Obama administration and two corporations debate the constitutionality of the federal government's abortion/contraception mandate, which requires employers to provide abortion-causing drugs and devices for their workers. Hobby Lobby, the nationwide retail chain, and Conestoga Wood Specialties, a Pennsylvania business, contend the federal regulation violates their owners' consciences and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a 1993 law protecting religious liberty.

The three female justices – Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg – challenged Paul Clement, arguing for Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood, in the first half of the 90 minutes of arguments, while Chief Justice John Roberts and associate justices Anthony Kennedy, Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia seemed most suspicious of the government's position in questioning Solicitor General Donald Verrilli.

Advocates for the corporations said some of the justices seemed particularly concerned the government position would support an abortion requirement for families and businesses. They expressed optimism after the arguments.

"We're hopeful that the court will end up in the right place and protect religious liberty here, and they had an awful lot of difficult questions for the government," said Mark Rienzi, senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which has represented Hobby Lobby.

"Across social media last week, some in the Twittersphere claimed family businesses fighting for a fundamental freedom want to impose their religious and moral beliefs on their employees. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"In a reversal of commonly held stereotypes, many so-called progressives now seek government-enforced conformity. The left used to argue that we should be free to live without fear of government sanction. Today they insist everyone agree with them – or else.

"President Barack Obama’s health care law includes a mandate that employers must provide coverage of drugs that can cause an early abortion – without cost to the employee. Some object on religious grounds and on March 25, two family-owned businesses – one is evangelical, the other Mennonite – will get their day before the Supreme Court.

"The Constitution and a law called the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act prohttp://www.lifenews.com/2014/03/24/supreme-court-should-uphold-hobby-lobbys-religious-freedom-overturn-obamas-hhs-mandate/vide a check against unreasonable government coercion. Before imposing a substantial burden on those with sincerely held religious beliefs, the government must show a compelling interest, pursued through the least restrictive means."

"Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen, was moved to a private hospital in Iran but was shackled and denied medical care, prompting the American Center for Law and Justice, which is working for his freedom, to say his case took a turn for the worse.The next day, March 13, ACLJ reported that Abedini, imprisoned for his Christian faith, had been released from the shackles and was allowed to receive visitors again. He had not been treated, though, for severe abdominal ailments resulting from beatings by Iranian prison guards."Abedini’s wife Naghmeh, on Facebook, asked believers worldwide to pray and even “fast from something” until Thursday, March 20, which marks the Iranian New Year, a day when the Islamic republic often grants clemency to prisoners of conscience."ACLJ reported March 12 that Abedini, sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in house churches, was moved from the brutal Rajai Shahr Prison to a hospital. He received nourishment and underwent various tests, something ACLJ called a much-needed reprieve.“'Today [March 13th], all that changed,” Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ’s executive director, reported. “This morning Iranian guards lashed out violently against Pastor Saeed and an elderly relative who had been able to visit him in the hospital. Pastor Saeed was pinned down and shackled. His elderly relative was roughly handled and expelled from the hospital.'”Abedini, in Hospital, Shackled, Denied Care at SRN News."American Pastor Saeed Abedini's case in Iran has taken a turn for the worse as a result of continual beatings in the country's Rajai Shahr prison.

"Saeed has been imprisoned in Iran for his faith since September 2012."

"Join with 192,767 others. There is a glimmer of hope in Pastor Saeed’s case. Iran’s foreign minister, speaking to CNN about Pastor Saeed, said, “We have various clemency measures in Iran that … can be introduced again in these cases.” Let’s take him at his word. Let’s ask for clemency – for Pastor Saeed’s release."

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.2 Corinthians 4:8-11

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.John 15:19-21

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:10

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Matthew 5:10-12

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,Matthew 5:44

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Dear Lord, see us through these hard times. In these troubling times, we are filled with unspeakable fear. We reach out our hands to You now, and ask You to walk beside us.

We cannot carry all our burdens, but we know You can, and we have faith You will. Please walk beside us. Please guide us. Please help us to hold on strong, through the trials and storms. Help us to hold on to our faith, in even the darkest hour. Stay with us Lord, and show us Your way.

"As tensions escalate amid anti-government protests across Venezuela, International Mission Board missionaries and their Venezuelan Baptist partners are ministering to Venezuelans on both sides of the conflict.

"One Venezuelan Baptist pastor goes to the front lines of the protests, praying with demonstrators and their opponents at barricades protesters have erected in Caracas, the capital city. He also visits Venezuela's National Guard and police stations to pray for their forces, even though some of them have been accused of alleged human-rights violations against protestors.

"At a barricade where he went to pray with demonstrators, the pastor "put the skids on an attack on protesters," reported Matthew Starr*, IMB missionary in Caracas.

"Residents of a nearby barrio (slum) approached, carrying sticks and stones, ready to attack demonstrators. The barrios of Caracas -- stretching up the mountains surrounding the city -- are considered bastions of support for the socialist government.

"'He went across to the attackers and said he was a Baptist pastor and was praying with folks from both sides, sharing their need for God to take control of the situation," Starr recounted. "This diffused the [conflict] and they didn't carry out the attack."

"'Pray for this pastor as he's making this his ministry during this crisis," Starr added. "He's also asking other pastors to get involved.'"

The Romeike family, who left Germany in 2008 seeking a safe asylum to homeschool their children, has just been granted indefinite deferred status to remain in the United States (as long as they remain law-abiding)..."

"...This afternoon on the HSLDA facebook page, [Mike] Farris announced that the Department of Homeland Security contacted HSLDA with the good news. He writes, "This is an incredible victory that can only be credited to our Almighty God. We also want to thank those of who spoke up on this issue--including that long ago White House petition. We believe that the public outcry made this possible while God delivered the victory.'"

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.Bless the LORD, you His angels,Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!

"Christians in Borno State have commenced a one-week fasting and prayer to seek God’s protection, blessings and preservation amidst religious hostilities. "Within the last few weeks, over 500 people have been killed in Konduga, Gwoza and other areas of the state by the Boko Haram insurgents. "Rev. Bitrus Bdliya, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri said,”upon the security challenges we face, we will not relent to emphasize the role of the Church as an agent of peace. “'I call on all Christians to acknowledge this responsibility and to pursue it vigorously. I admonish every Christian to re-examine his or her relationship with God and with his neighbour, knowing well that to be able to maintain peace, you have to be at peace with God and with your brother or sister.'"Please read Boko Haram: Borno Christians Pray for God's Protection, by Maina Maina, at Nigeria's Daily Post.

~~~~~~~~~~God will remove every Ahab that is in authority. Every ungodly rulers and those that do not stand up for righteousness and integrity. That the doors will open into every home that does not know the Lord for the penetration of the Gospel. God will bless and protect all the believers from every attack of the enemy in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. Let us pray Isaiah 54:17 that “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” For a complete end to the cycle of religious violence. Proverbs 23:18 “For surely there is an end and our expectation shall not be cut off” Pray for peace. Ask the Almighty God to comfort, heal and provide for those who have lost loved ones and /or properties and businesses during the religious and tribal violence. Pray against all hidden agendas, and that any attempts to deliberately orchestrate violence between the religious communities of Nigeria would come to nothing. Pray that every evil counsel that is in existence be destroyed. (Job 5:12-14). Pray for wisdom in the utilization of the nations resources especially the oil. Let us pray that every corruption, injustice and wickedness in high places be brought down and totally destroyed in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. God declares in Proverbs 11:1 “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Pray for mercy for the weak, the poor and the orphans who cry for help because our Lord is the Help of the helpless. Psalms 68:5 “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.” Begin to declare A destruction of all false alters and speak an establishment of the Alter of the Almighty God, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. A blessing over the Land. From the east to the west, from the north to the south proclaim a blessing. A destruction to every prince of the air ruling over that region in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. That the True Light will shine to all that are still in darkness in that region in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. Healing over the economy, restoration of agriculture, and godly leadership Remember to cover yourself, your family, your loved ones, your ministry, and your work, with the blood of Jesus. Ask God to be your rear-guard as you battle in intercession. Also pray for all other Believers that are praying for the different nations and ask God to strengthen them and grant them success. From Prayer for Nigeria~~~~~~~~~~

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